Historic Mule Barn Transformed into Dundee Café at UGA Griffin Campus

The University of Georgia's Griffin campus has breathed new life into a historic 1913 mule barn, unveiling the Dundee Café as a central gathering spot for students, faculty, and visitors.

This transformation was made possible by a generous $1 million donation from the Dundee Community Association, underscoring their commitment to preserving local heritage.

UGA President Jere W. Morehead expressed profound gratitude for this contribution, emphasizing its role in strengthening the bond between the university and the Griffin community.

Constructed in 1913, the mule barn replaced an earlier structure destroyed by lightning.

It showcased the innovative slip form concrete method, a novel construction technique at the time.

During the same era, Dundee Mills, located just across the street, was a major textile producer, making Griffin a prominent textile town.

The barn's interior walls still bear historical markings: names of mules above bridle pegs, crop weight calculations, and animal tracks embedded in the concrete floors.

These features, along with historical photos and exhibits, are preserved to educate café visitors about the rich history of the campus and Dundee Mills.

Lew Hunnicutt, assistant provost and UGA-Griffin campus director, highlighted the barn's significance as the oldest structure on campus, emphasizing its preservation as a cherished part of the university's history.

The Dundee Community Association, established in the 1940s by Dundee Mills, has a longstanding tradition of supporting employees and the local community through scholarships and charitable contributions.

Tom Gardner, chairman of the association, noted that naming the Dundee Café ensures that Dundee Mills and the textile industry's contributions to the community are recognized perpetually.

The café not only offers a place to dine but also serves as a living museum, connecting the present with the past and fostering a sense of community on the UGA Griffin campus.

For more information about UGA-Griffin, visit their official website.